Eva Habil is the mayor (“Omda”) of Kom Bouha, a small village in Dairout, Asyut in Upper Egypt. She inherited her father’s profession by common law; the only uncommon thing about her heritage is her being the first woman.
Did your father ever discuss the subject of you becoming a mayor?
No, he didn’t encourage me when I was little, but I always kept an eye on him as he practiced his job, so I got great experience from him and I felt that I would like being a “mayor” but I wasn’t really looking forward to it. Before he passed away, one day I told him why wouldn’t I become a mayor in the future and my father always smiled as he never imagined I could fit in the position due to my gender.
You came to beat five male candidates including your brother, how did he feel about that?
My brother was nominated in the 1st round in 2003 and he didn’t win the elections before I was nominated. People convinced me to go for it and I told myself why not? So I applied for the position and my brother went for it one more time, I gave him the chance the first time and he didn’t win both times, so I found no harm to be a candidate in the 2nd round.
“My father was a very special man. He never told me not to wear the famous 70’s hot shorts and never complained when he found me talking to a male colleague over the phone.”
After you graduated, your father agreed to send you to Iraq to start a career, like any other male Graduate in the 80’s do you consider yourself coming from a sort of an open minded family compared to Upper Egypt families?
My father was a very special man. He never told me not to wear the famous 70’s hot shorts and never complained when he found me talking to a male colleague over the phone. He always believed that women must enjoy a certain type of freedom and if that freedom wasn’t provided, a woman will always find her way out with her own technique. So he was totally aware of how to raise a fine woman with a healthy reputation in a liberal way.
How did you complete the phrase “when I’ll become a mayor I will…”?
I never told myself I will do this and that when I get the position. I was the Secretary General of a Women’s Organization in Kom Bouha in addition to being a lawyer, this gave me the chance to be close to people. I was quite active on the social front as well as tackling different problems we have in our village.
“Women were always afraid to talk about issues considering inheritance, problems with their husbands, and kids to a male mayor and sometimes they were too shy rather than afraid.”
What about the female feedback when you became a mayor? Did all women rush to you with their problems?
(Laughs) Yes, exactly as you said. I was surprised with hundreds of stored issues and problems of women that were never discussed before. Women were always afraid to talk about issues considering inheritance, problems with their husbands, and kids to a male mayor and sometimes they were too shy rather than afraid. So I got closer to them and started to find solutions with the most peaceful ways I could reach.
What positive changes took place in Kom Bouha after you became in charge?
Major female problems came to an end in a very obvious way. Today, Female circumcision has reduced up to 99%, which is a cheerful result. We used to raise awareness and set people up with experts to provide them with the knowledge and awareness needed concerning the devastating consequences of circumcision. Another major change has occurred when we were able to beat the monster of illiteracy as today lots of parents are convinced with sending their daughters to schools and even college. People see their neighbors send their daughters to college or even the faculty of medicine and they start to copy each other’s lifestyles, which is a positive attitude in our situation. Years ago, a girl’s life was about helping her parents on the field and household never ending activities, today girls get better grades than male students which make parents proud of their educated daughters.
“Major female problems came to an end in a very obvious way. Today, Female circumcision has reduced up to 99%, which is a cheerful result.”
In Upper Egypt, it’s demanded that a woman’s life should be lived indoors; but you are exposed to lots of different types of people and you communicate with a number of men. Has Upper Egypt changed to that extent? Does every village, town or city share the same cultural agenda?
No, they don’t; so what I’m trying to say is the world became a small village due to globalization and we all know that. The percentage of ignorance and sticking to old traditions was found more in Upper Egypt than in any other place in Egypt; but as I mentioned before my father was from Upper Egypt, yet he was very educated and he thought about every detail before he would state an objection. Geography isn’t the criteria, people’s ability and willingness to change is an issue we would like to focus on. You shouldn’t stereotype Upper Egypt’s beliefs; you must know that today not all people living in the south share same opinions.
As a lawyer, how did you defend yourself from those who were against you when you were nominated?
Thank God up till now no issue came to me that I didn’t find a solution for. People trust me with my capabilities and they are really happy with me filling that position and I always see it in their eyes. So people know how successful I’m in my work and I never disappointed anyone, so my work results defend me more than anything.
In which situations a female mayor is better than a male one?
I always knew that sometimes women work better than males in male dominated jobs. Women don’t use violence as males do and they tend to find the most peaceful way through any obstacle or problem. I sometimes use “the raising voice” technique but of course I never humiliate anyone.
“people know how successful I’m in my work and I never disappointed anyone, so my work results defend me more than anything.”
At this stage of your life you are single, is it difficult to find a great man next to a successful woman?
In my case, I always wanted to start a career first and travel the world, see different kinds of people then look for love. In my point of view, chemistry is very important, a man with gorgeous looks don’t always fascinate me, what fascinates me is chemistry; and I never felt right chemistry. When people started to propose in my twenties I didn’t feel attracted to the whole thing of marriage. My parents became very much concerned over time and when I reached my thirties, they were more concerned than ever. However, when they saw how successful I became in my career, they didn’t worry anymore about the balance in my life as they thought I had it all. I’m 53 years old now and honestly I never regret being unmarried. I don’t feel like missing the other gender as 90% of my friends and best friends are males and I could never live without them. I’m a Christian and we don’t get divorced, so I must be totally convinced with my partner or I would live desperate ever after and I didn’t find a man who I would have taken as a partner so far.
“I’m 53 years old now and honestly I never regret being unmarried. I don’t feel like missing the other gender as 90% of my friends and best friends are males and I could never live without them.”
If you found the right man today, would you think about it?
I don’t think so. I feel that I’m practicing a certain sport which I adore and I could never quit the game, so my life follows that path. Male friends fill in my needs for a man, I don’t mean passionately but I mean a real friendship between two humans. According to motherhood, I have nephews whom I consider my own kids and I feel that having kids of own wouldn’t change a thing. Believe it or not, I think that things in my life are more than enough, and I’m in no need of anything more.
As a mayor, how do you see outdoor behaviors of people?
In any place on earth, people are dominated by law and placing charges is the easiest way to create a better place. According to the village which I’m in charge of, I start to warn people first. Loud mobile tones in the street have decreased in Kom Bouha today for instance. Teenage gathering and loitering at nights isn’t seen anymore. When you warn people and show them that you are serious they start to commit to the law and behave properly. It’s just a matter of time and serious application of certain laws.
As a woman and a Christian of course you knew you would have to face up to huge challenges, how did you battle your way into the male-oriented politics of Egypt especially parties like the brotherhood might stand in your way?
First of all, the brotherhood’s only goal is to govern the country and that will never happen. I belong to the NDP since 1996 and I wish all Egyptians become members of NDP as I believe in its terms, conditions and political agenda. I’m not guarded by the party but I like to prove that anyone from any religion or gender must enjoy his rights as long as he or she abides by it. I don’t fear anyone as I’m totally convinced with what I’m doing.
